I've been teaching indoor cycling spinning classes for about five years at several clubs using several different types of indoor stationary spinning bikes. I once purchased the cheapest Spinning® stationary bike for $500. If you're serious about training indoors, it's worthwhile investing in a bike with smooth pedaling action. Otherwise, you won't like the cheap one and you won't use it. So, what's the point?
Of all of the indoor cycling spinning stationary bikes I've owned and used, the Keiser M3 Indoor Spin Cycle Stationary Bike is my favorite. It includes a computer that calculate RPMs to track your cadence. It's $1,499 on Amazon and worth the money. If fitness clubs use them, I'm sure it will withstand your individual use. The resistance lever is conveniently located and easily moves up and down - unlike the old-school kind where you have twist the knob. The computer picks up the signal automatically from your heart rate monitor. Neither the calories burned nor the distance calculated is accurate. The Polar heart rate monitor watch is more accurate for calculating calories. If you ride outside a lot and use a computer of any kind, you already know your average miles per hour. The Keiser computer will calculate a lot more miles and I know it's wrong. What you really want to track is heart rate and cadence. These two metrics are accurately calculated for sure.
Read about the difference between the cadence of indoor cycling drills vs. cadence used outside. You're burning calories and building endurance and strength whether you're outside or on a stationary bike. It's just different. I actually burn more calories inside and love the company of other members in the class. I also love to ride my bike outside all by myself, zoned out and listening to music.
Good point! You're probably right. I'll have to check.
Posted by: Betsy | February 14, 2013 at 07:05 AM
the distance units on the M3 computer is not in miles which probably explains while you think it is not accurate
Posted by: keith | February 13, 2013 at 06:48 PM